Ahead of its 18th year of operation, the 13 Colonies Event organizers will change distribution methods for certificates for making contacts with stations in the original colonies, as well as England, France, and Philadelphia.

Bob Josuweit WA3PZO, is managing director of the newly formed 501c3 charitable organization, 13 Colonies Amateur Radio Association

He says the group has decided to simplify and speed-up the process: the certificates can now be downloaded, once ordered on the 13 Colonies website or sent by traditional mail to a US Post Office box.

You'll still have to prove you made the contacts. Josuweit says a database will be available on the website to help you to verify those contacts. If you prefer, you can continue to fill out a paper log or print out your individual log from your computer and mail it.

Bob told Newsline that this year’s QSL cards will pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of America’s birth and the Declaration of Independence.

BOB: “This year we’re featuring on most cards a theme of where the Declaration of Independence was first read in their particular state.”

MARK: He says Philadelphia played a huge role as the birthplace of American liberty, and that city's WM3PEN station QSL card will honor that history.

BOB: “Since the Declaration was created here, we’re actually showing a picture of the assembly room in Independence Hall where the Declaration was written and voted upon.”

MARK: There is more for stations contacting WM3PEN in Philadelphia. He says the city is among major US cities hosting a series of World Cup soccer tournament matches through July and there will be on-the-air recognition of that event as well.

BOB WA3PZO: “Those stations working WM3PEN in Philadelphia will be able to get two QSL cards – one for the soccer event and one for 13 Colonies. So, two cards for the price of one contact.”

Check out all the latest developments at the 13 Colonies website available in the text version of this story on our website, A-R Newsline-dot-O-R-G.